Stearns County gets 50% design check for Justice Center; officials flag potential utility cost and set public engagement plan

Stearns County staff told the Board of Commissioners that the Justice Center design has entered the mid‑development phase and the project team expects to deliver 50% design development drawings to the builder this week for a check estimate.

Kevin Kornick, head of facilities, said the 50% package will let the builder validate earlier value‑engineering reductions and provide a more complete cost check. “At the end of this week, the architect is due to the builder a 50% design development plan, which is really gonna serve as a check drawing,” Kornick said.

Staff reiterated major program assumptions: the jail component is planned for 270 beds, the court tower is being designed as four floors, and the secured shooting range remains in the program. Kornick said the project team is pursuing competitive quotes for detention cells and detention hardware and has scheduled manufacturer tours to expand the vendor list.

A central budget risk is extending utilities from the site to existing city connections. Kornick said utilities sit roughly 2,000 feet from the site and unresolved cost‑sharing with the City of Saint Cloud could add “probably, plus million dollar” expense if the county must pay most of the install cost.

Site environmental work has proceeded with the county’s TEP committee. Kornick said the plan avoids most wetland impacts; however, the project will likely purchase wetland credits to offset remaining impacts. “Our wetland impact for the size of project we're doing is very minimal,” Kornick said, and committee feedback was positive.

Design aesthetics and exterior finishes were presented as three conceptual elevations. Commissioners debated granite use on the front facade: staff described granite as a high‑impact, high‑cost finish and said the team is trying to concentrate granite where it will be most visible, such as entry columns and immediate lobby faces. Kornick warned the most elaborate option would come “at a bit of a premium” above current budget assumptions.

Procurement and schedule: staff plan to take a construction‑document estimate to the board and pursue bidding in late summer or early fall to capture favorable contractor timing for the following year. Kornick said competitive solicitation for cameras, key cards, automation systems, and detention hardware is intended to increase vendor competition and reduce long‑term lifecycle costs.

Furniture and equipment: Kornick said the county does not plan to reuse most furniture from the existing law enforcement center because much of it is past useful life; limited items from court spaces could be repurposed where fit allows. Surplus items would be sold at auction or recycled.

Legislative update and sales‑tax exemption: board members reported testimony before the Senate tax committee on a bill to exempt construction sales tax for certain public projects, which would reduce project sales‑tax burden. Commissioner Clark and others said Senator Putnam and Representative Woganand are chief authors; staff will continue outreach. Commissioners and staff noted a Department of Revenue revenue estimate for the exemption that they believe overstated the taxable base; staff said that estimate should separate the jail portion (already tax‑exempt) from the rest of the project.

Public engagement: the board directed staff to plan 2–3 public engagement sessions (countywide or regionally located), with at least one session before an April 8 work session so public feedback can be considered before substantial construction documents are finalized. Kornick recommended holding a public input session in late March or early April to ensure feedback can be incorporated before moving fully into construction documents.

Why it matters: the Justice Center is the county’s largest near‑term capital project. The 50% design check, vendor outreach and the schedule for public engagement will shape the budget, procurement strategy and community acceptance as the project advances toward bidding and long‑term financing.